A Gardening Community Growing in South Wheaton

A new community garden is taking root on the grounds of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1753 S. Blanchard Street, Wheaton. The garden is designed to give immigrants and refugees an opportunity to raise their produce.

Garden director Jeff Bray notes that “coming to a new country with a different culture takes many familiar things away. Growing familiar foods gives you back some sense of control.” Many of the current garden plots are cultivated by members of a Burmese congregation that meets for worship at Aldersgate.

Bray observes that these families are experienced farmers and “have done a great job of using the space available to grow a large selection of plants, using innovative trellises to maximize the yield.”

Van Ro Sung, a Burmese congregation member, says it is a blessing to share the harvest within the congregation, with Aldersgate members, and with community neighbors. She adds that her community “loves to see the garden because it brings them relaxation, peace, and happiness.”

Jeff Bray and co-director Ian Grigsby have plans to expand the garden in 2023. Their plans include developing the existing watering system to support additional plots for new refugee families as well as settled residents looking for land to cultivate.

In partnership with Gary United Methodist Church, Aldersgate also plans to dedicate a large plot to growing fresh produce for local food pantries. If you would like to contribute to this project, please contact Pastor Daniel Cochran at Aldersgate UMC (Aldersgate.wheaton@gmail.com).